Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-12-09
NO. Is.

I
under our tsriff laws, and if with such
reduced price its manufacture con,
tinUes to thrive il is entirely
svident ths. one thing has been
discovered which should be carefully
Scrutinized in an effort to reduce taxa
tion. The necessity OF combination b
maintain the price OF any commodity -
the tariff point furnishes proof that 81 ,ae
one is willing TO accept lower prices for
such commodity and that such prioes age
remunerative, and later prices produced
by competition prove the same thing.
Thus where eithsr of these conditions
exist, case wsuid seem to be presented
for an easy reduction of taxation.
The considerations which have been
presented touching our tariff laws are in-
tended only to enforce an earnest reo2g-
milton that he surplus revenue of the
government be prevented by the redue-
tIon of our customs duties. and at the
same time to emphasize q suggestion
that We are accomplishing this purpose.
We may discharge double duty TO our
people by granting to them measure of
relief from tariff taxation in quarters
where it is most needed, and from sources
where it cannot fairly and justly be ac-
corded. Nor can the presentation made
of such consideration be with any degree
of fairness regarded as evidence of I'M
friendliness toward our manufacturing
interests, or of any lack of appreciation
of their value and Importance; these
interests constitute leading and most
substantial element of
QUE NATIONAL GREATNESS,
and furnished the proud proof of our
eountry's progress. But il in the emer-
+hnt
turers are asked to surrender something
for the public good, and to divert disas-
ter, their patriotism, as we'll as a grateful
recognition of advantages already af-
forded, should lead them TO be willing,
No demand is made that they shall
forego all the benefits of governmental
regard, but they cannot fail to be admon-
ished of their duty as well as their en-
lightened self-interess and safety, when
they are reminded of the fact that finau,
clai panic and collapse, to which the pres
ent condition affords no greater pro-
lection to our manufactures than
TO our other important enterprises. The
opportunity for safe, careful and delib-
crate reform is now offered, and none of
Us should be unmindful of q time when
an abused and irritated people, needless
of those who have received timely and
reasonable relief, may insist upon radi-
cal and sweeping rectificaiion of their
wrongs. The difficulty attending wise
and fair revision ot our tariff laws
Is not under estimated. It will re-
quire on the part of the congress
great labor and care, and especially a
broad and national contemplation of the
subject, and patriotic disregard OF such
local and selfish claims as are uureason.
able and reckless of the welfare of the
entire Sountry. Under our present laws
more than
-FOUR THOUSAND ARTICLES
are subject to duty. Many of these do
notin any way compete with our own man
ufactures, anu many are hardly worth at
tention as subjects of revenue. A con-
siderable reduction can be made in the
aggregate by adding them to the free
list. The taxation of luxuries present
no features of hardship, but the neoesl
sarrles of life used and consumed by al
the people, the duty upon which adds
to the cost of living IN every home
should be greatly cheapened, the radi-
cal reduction of the duties imposed
upon raw material used in manufacturers
or Its free importation is of course an
important factor in any effort TO reduce
the price of these neoessaries. It
would not only relieve them from the in
creased cost caused by the tarig on such
material, but the manufactured product
being thus cheapened, that part of the
tariff now laid upon such products as
compensation to our manufacturers foe
the present price of raw material, could
be accordingly, modified. SUch reduc-
t:oa or free importation would serve he
81 ipr kn
enCe. It is not apparent how such
4 change can have any injurious
fleets upon our manufacturers
On the contrary it would appear-to give
them better chance in foreign p4afkets
With the manufacturers of other coun-
rles, and cheapen their wares by free
material. Thus our people might have
he opportunity of extending their sales
beyond the limits of home consumption,
saving them from the depression and in
terruption in business and loss caused by
glulted domestic market, and aifordipg
heir employees more certain and steady
labor, with its resulting quiet and con
te1tment. The question thus imperatiyely
presented for solution should be
approached in a spirit higher than patti
sanship, and considered in the light OF
that regard for patriotic duty, which
should characterize the action of those
intrusted with the wealth of eonfding
people. But the obligation TO declared
party policy and principle Is not wanting
to urge prompt and effective action.
Both of the great political parties now
represented in the government have, by
repeated and authoritative declarations
condemned the condition OF the
laws which permit the collection from
the people of unnecessary revenue, aud
have in the most solemn manner promis-
ed US correction, and neither as citizens
or parti.ans are our countrymeu in a
mood to condone the deliberate violation
of these pledges. Our progress toward
a wise conclusion will best be improved
by dwelling upon the theories of protec-
tion and free trade. This savors too
much of bandying epitheis. 1t is e con
dition which confronts us not q theory.
Relief from this condition may involve
a slight reduction of the advantages
which we award our home productions,
but the entire withdrawal of such advan-
tages should not be contemplated. The
question of the free trade is
ABSOLUTELY IRRELEVANT,
and the persistant claims made in certain
quarters that all efforts to relieve the
peop pie from unjust and unnecessary tax
alton are schemes of so-calIed free trad
era, is mIschievous, and far removed from
any consideration for the public good.
The simple and plain duty which we owe
the people is to reduce taxation TO the
necessary expenses of an economic
operation of the government, and
to restore to the business of the
country the money which we hold
in the treasury through the per-
version of governmental powers. These
things can aad should bs done with safety
to allow industries without danger to the
opportunity of renumeratiye labor which
our workingmen need and with benefit TO
them and all our people by cbeapening
their means of subsistence and increas-
ing the measure of their comforts. The
constitution provides that the president
shall from time to time give the congress
information of
THE sT2rE OF TIE UNION.
1t hes been the custom of the execu-
tIses in compliance with these provisions
to annually exhibit to the congress at the
openipg Of its session the general con-
dition of the country and to detail with
some particularity, the Operations of the
different executive departments. II
would be especially agreeable to follow |
this course at the present time and to |
call attention to the valuable ccomplish- |
ments OF these departments during the |
last fiscal year. But / am SO much i'm |
pressed with the pararnount inheritance j